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Anil Kumble has said that a spruced-up Chinnaswamy Stadium is ready to host the World Cup after undergoing several facelifts, including a new-look dressing room which is being modified with inputs from Rahul Dravid. A revamp, including enhanced capacity, is also on the cards for the stadium after the IPL.

"In all terms of preparation we are match-ready. In a couple of days, the Indian team will be arriving here, and in every functional aspect, we will be ready by February 9," Kumble, the Karnataka State Cricket Association president, said. "The practice match (against Australia) is on February 13, and we are treating it as a World Cup game, from the administrative point of view."

Speaking about the players' facilities, Kumble said that every detail a player requires had been looked into. "We have changed the look of the dressing room, although the layout is the same. Be it seating or keeping bags or the showers and toilets, we have worked on every little detail. It needs a lift on where the photographs need to be put up, and I have entrusted that job on Rahul. He will take care of that and by the teams arrive everything will be ready."

There has not been much time since the new administration led by Kumble took charge in November, but he said that they had tried to do their best. "Whether it was the players' room, commentary box or the media centre, given the space restrictions because of various design constraints of the stadium, I think we have done whatever we could. And I'm glad that every committee member and people working in the KSCA have responded to the challenge."

There is a lot on Kumble's plate, especially after the ICC decided to shift the India-England tie from an unready Eden Gardens to Bangalore. Logistics and the ICC's hospitality requirements are being thrashed out, and Kumble admitted it would take some effort. "The ICC needed extra media space, hospitality and overflow area. Whatever is possible, we have been able to address that. It won't be an ideal scenario."

Tickets are another major issue, and Kumble said that it was being resolved with the ICC. "At the moment the numbers are not clear, but it can come up to anywhere around 7,000 to 10,000 tickets they want. And all those are prime ones, so we will have to manage those logistics. The tickets are pre-sold, so we will only have to sell one-third of what we can to the public. It will be clear in a day. We are also looking at combos and discounts to push the tickets for non-India matches."

At the same time, Kumble hoped that the crowds would turn up for the India-Australia warm-up match. "Both are good teams and in best of form. It's on Sunday and a day-night game."

Saying that a master plan for the stadium was being prepared, Kumble said that an increased capacity of 65,000 to 70,000 was planned, as also was reserved seating. "The ground requires a revamp, it probably is tired. We need at least three or four months of non-cricket, and we will take it up after the IPL.

"We want to ensure that every spectator having a valid seat will have a permanent seat, not first-come first-serve basis. We want to create something where even if you come two overs late, the spectator will have his seat reserved.

"We will certainly ensure that catering will be top class. In the India-New Zealand game, people were happy with the catering and also the price. We will provide the same facilities this time.

Kumble felt that he had lived up to expectations till now. "We have put together some kind of a quarterly plan. One thing was painting the stadium, dressing room and others. Hopefully on the 13th, we will get a stamp of approval."

So what does a man with outstanding managerial skills and a mature head bring into administration? Results! Way to go Jumbo! We are really proud of you! Hope you can get us another stadium (preferably in Mysore) in Karnataka soon..

Posted by
Manju
on (February 9, 2011, 10:16 GMT)

One word sums it up, Kumble for PM. You are a legend.

Posted by
ATUL
on (February 8, 2011, 16:57 GMT)

Hyderabad's spectacularly inept HCA needs to learn a lot of good things from the KSCA. I find it more convenient to travel 550Km to Bangalore to watch a match than the 10Km to the Hyderabad's stadium. Be it catering, the security, buying the tickets, just about everything is a pain with the HCA.

Posted by
manju
on (February 8, 2011, 16:01 GMT)

Great work Kumble and Dravid!! Hats off!!!!

Posted by
Vinod
on (February 8, 2011, 13:31 GMT)

Gr8 work by kumble. He is a real proactive and responsible man. His work not only improve the stadium but also encourage the youngster in the state.

Posted by
Lalith
on (February 8, 2011, 12:48 GMT)

One of the very good respected captain in the world. He should be made the head of BCCI and get rid of all those sleeping lazy administrators.

Posted by
Dummy4
on (February 8, 2011, 11:37 GMT)

Well done, Anil. You have always set excellent standards in whatever you have tried to do and delivered as per the expectations.

Posted by
Coolest
on (February 8, 2011, 11:19 GMT)

This is what the Indian cricket and the fans need. We need people like Anil Kumble running the cricket administration in India from the state association to the BCCI and also the ICC, not the politicians, Everyone who has nothing to do with cricket needs to be thrown out of all cricket administration!!

Posted by
Imran
on (February 8, 2011, 10:32 GMT)

Hats off to you Jumbo! Wish to see Chinnasway Stadium the best in the country.

Posted by
Dummy4
on (February 8, 2011, 10:21 GMT)

wish u good luck and U r doing a fabulous job in bringing up the Karnataka cricket,